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Reports questions light rail at U of Minnesota

A University of Minnesota report questions
the consequences of running a light rail line through the
Minneapolis campus, citing concerns that vibration and
electromagnetic interference from the line could damage sensitive
research equipment at the school.

University President Robert Bruininks asked a faculty committee
in January to study the effect of the planned Central Corridor line
on nearby university research laboratories.

The report, finished this week and written by professors of
engineering and medical science, noted there are more than 80
laboratories with fragile equipment in 17 buildings near Washington
Avenue, the proposed light rail line route.

"The extremely close proximity of the ... line to the
university research facilities presents challenges that are
unique," the report said.

The report urges university administration to insist the light
rail builders limit vibration and electromagnetic interference to
current levels. That could be made possible by techniques that
include building on a special cushioned slab of concrete or running
the trains on batteries when on campus, the report said.

"The university cannot acquiesce to mitigation strategies that
compromise its research mission," the report said.
The university has previously raised electromagnetic radiation
concerns, as well as traffic and safety worries, about the proposed
Washington Ave. route.

The $914 million-line would connect downtown Minneapolis with
downtown St. Paul. The goal is to start construction next year and
have it up and running by 2014.

Peter Bell, the chairman of the Metropolitan Council, which is
overseeing the light rail project, said he believed the current
mitigation measures were sufficient.

"We remain hopeful that university officials will join us in
working to achieve an agreement that will allow this vital regional
transit improvement to go forward," he said in a prepared
statement. "Their continued resistance has the very real potential
to delay the project and increase its cost."